We have everything to gain by conserving Yala Swamp and other wetlands

Members of Kanyaboli Site Support group participating in monitoring of Yala swamp that spread across Siaya and Busia Counties. [Caroline Chebet, Standard]

Wetlands occupy about 3 to 4 per cent of Kenya. Despite their seemingly small coverage, wetlands form part of our natural capital and provide crucial ecosystem goods and services. Unfortunately, wetlands are rapidly being lost and degraded like no other ecosystems in Kenya and the world.

A widely held misconception that wetlands are wastelands has justified the wanton destruction of these precious habitats across Kenya. A case in point is the systemic degradation of Yala Swamp in western Kenya.